The Martian

The Ares III shuttle successfully lands on Acidalia Planitia on Mars. The crew, including Commander Melissa Lewis and botanist Mark Watney, begins their mission by collecting samples and setting up their habitat, known as the HAB.

As the crew performs their duties, a powerful storm approaches Mars. Commander Lewis makes the tough decision to abort the mission and evacuate immediately, believing that the approaching storm poses a significant threat to their safety.

During the storm's chaos, Watney is injured by a satellite dish and loses contact with his crew. The remaining members narrowly escape to the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), leaving Watney behind, whom they assume to be dead.

After the storm clears, Watney regains consciousness on Sol 21. Realizing he is alone, he begins to confront the reality of his situation and devises a plan for survival using the limited food supplies available.

Watney uses his skills as a botanist to cultivate potatoes in Martian soil. He creatively utilizes the crew's leftover fecal matter as compost, marking his innovative adaptation to life on a lifeless planet.

NASA Director Teddy Sanders holds a press conference to announce Watney's presumed death, shocking the world. However, Mindy Park discovers satellite images showing signs of activity at the Ares III site, indicating that Watney is alive.

Determined to contact NASA, Watney salvages a long-dormant Pathfinder probe. His successful connection enables him to send messages back to Earth, prompting NASA to decode his signals and plan a rescue.

As the Hermes crew flies back toward Earth, they receive the shocking news of Watney's survival from their flight director. Overwhelmed with guilt, they realize that they could have saved him sooner if they had known the truth.

Watney faces numerous challenges while trying to survive, including a catastrophic failure of the habitat's airlock. This incident causes further complications for his potato crop, highlighting the harsh realities of his isolation.

In an act of global unity, the Chinese Space Agency offers assistance to NASA for Watney's rescue. Astrodynamicist Rich Purnell devises a daring plan that could turn the tide in favor of saving Watney.

The Hermes crew, driven by their sense of duty and friendship, decide to return to Mars for Watney. They take control of their ship and transform their mission into a personal rescue effort, disregarding official orders.

As Watney prepares for his journey to reach the Ares IV MAV, he faces a countdown filled with hope and anxiety. Each day is a test of his determination amidst the unforgiving Martian landscape.

The crew of Hermes approaches Mars for the dramatic rescue operation. Watney's survival hinges on meticulous precision, and a tense countdown culminates in an emotional reunion between him and his crew.

Back on Earth, Watney takes on the role of an instructor for new astronauts. With a wealth of experience gained from his ordeal, he emphasizes resilience and problem-solving as vital skills for survival in space exploration.

In a hopeful epilogue, the characters' lives are revisited years later as they witness the launch of the Ares V mission. This serves as a powerful reminder of human tenacity and the spirit of exploration beyond Earth.